Casing protector and booster



June 27, 1944. SANDSTQNE 2,352,412

CASING PROTECTOR AND BOOSTER Filed Aug. 28, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l June 27, 1944. SANDSTONE 2,352,412

CASING PROTECTOR AND BOOSTER Filed Aug. 28, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENl-QR.

June 27, 1944. H, S NLDSTON 2,352,412

CASING PROTECTOR AND BOOSTER Filed Aug. 28, 1939' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 27,- 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE oasnvo rao'rnc'ron AND noos'rnn Harvey David Sandstone, Los Angeles, Calif. Application August 28, 1939, Serial No. 292,257

8 Claims.

. me circulation. (unless reversed and desired) by reducing the space between the drill stem and the inner side of the casing as in the present general practice.

An object of enormous advantage 'over the present protector now being used in the field, is the impelling means embedded in the protector unit of the present invention, when placed at the lower end of the drill stem above the cutting bit, which will greatly reduce the hydrostatic pressure, and

allow the natural pressure of the oil sands toenter the hole. In many fields where the oil pressure is low, the oil sands are very often passed up when the rotary system with the high mud pressure circulation is used.

Another advantageous point is that the booster will greatly decrease the danger of losing the circulation in the hole, by keeping the circulation of the mud fluid moving in one direction only that is straight up.

When reversed in its mounting onthe drill stem, the booster becomes a retarder of the circulation, and will build up the hydrostatic pressure, when it is desired to hold back water pressure or gas. This is done without the present system of forcing heavier mud under enormous pump pressure into the wall formation as in many instances endangering the prospective oil sands. My booster protector may be used to increase the hydrostatic pressure in the hole at desired sections or elevations of the hole where the water or gas pressure has been encountered and gone through and not desired at the same time to decrease the mud pressure at the bottom of the hole in fear of shutting 011' some newly developed oil sands.

To provide such a device, substantially and unmovably mounted, yetquickly attached and detached, having an expanding and fastening member actuated either by air or liquid under be mounted when and wherever the drill stems are being used, repaired or stored, and removed from said drill stems when and where as above stated, and not as the average practice in the field. In order to equip or remove the protectors, the drilling rig must be in operation the lifting and dropping of the drill stems weight expands and forces on the rubber protector. peated when they are to be removed. This is a slow and expensive operation, and should be changed to equip the stemswith the protectors as applicant's invention provides, while the drill stems are being assembled before the drilling operation is commenced, by one or two men and not the whole drilling crew and expensive drilling equipment costing many thousands of dollars.

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent during the course of the following specification which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings which show my improved casing protector and booster which comprises inner casing l5 and outer casing (or body) 2|, having water vane impeller 2|--2|A respectively, and of a general spher cal form having a tubular bore through which the drill stem extends.

Fig. 1, elevation of the apparatus shows in the upper plane, a view of the retarder impeller vanes, and in lower the booster impeller vanes of solid ring design.

Fig. 2, showing the impellers spaced relatively to the drill stem, cross section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, elevation of apparatus showing a different design, mechanically fastened to drill stem.

Fig. 4, cross section of Fig. 3, showing spacing of impellers and drill stem.

Fig. 5, elevation with fiat thread impellers,a split design, also showing nut and bolt fastening.

Fig. 6, cross section Fig. 5, showing inner casing inflation tube, tube air lock, intake and outlet air valve.

Fig. '7, cross section of-Fig. 5, showing fastening bolts inserted through the looped ends of the metal bead, which are encased within the outer section of the body of the protector, ZIA showing an enclosed type of impeller passages.

Fig. 8, cross section of Fig. 5, showing the protector without the inner casing, using the expansion chamber connected direct to the valve, for inflation, split type protector showing the air lock.

Fig. 9, showing an elevational view of inner tube Type l5 placed on drill stem in a deflated condition.

This is re-.

Fig. 10, cross section of deflated inner tube Type l5.

Fig. 11 shows cross section protector having the Type I inner tube placed in position and inflated.

Fig. 12 shows elevational view of protector Type 24A having inner tube Type l5 in place on the drill stem and inflated.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, show a solid ring type protector without impellers (impellers not shown) buit in two separate sections. Inner tube EA and housing or outer casing Type 24A, having a metal inner band 29 to help retard the expansion of the outer housing Type 24A. (Fabric or other suitable material could be used.) The inner tube being of more flexible material is first sprung over the tool joint IA, being of larger diameter than the drill stem I, and when in proper place the outer casing 24A is placed over and around the inner tube, Type 24A has a bore adapted to allow easy entrance of the tool joint, and able to accommodate the entrance of the deflated inner casing I5A, which is then inflated as in Fig. 12 mak nga solid fixture until deflated, and easily removed.

The following numerals are explanatory to their respective parts: Numeral #1 indicates drill stem. Numeral 2 indicates a bit secured in i the lower end of said drill stem. Numeral #3 indicates the impellers mounted on the upper end of bit shank. Numeral #4 designates body of protector, showing impellers #M, and vanes #2l of said propeller. Numeral #6 designates body of protector with retarding vanes, #MA indicated.

In'drawings showing Fig. 3, the drill stem is indicated by numeral 8, having bit #9 mounted to its lower end.

Numeral #IO indicates a protector mounted to the dr'll stem by fastenings #I2, having impellers #M, and spaced vanes #2 I. Fig. 5 of said drawings shows a split type protector indicated by #24, fabricated from flexible materials such as rubber etc. which easily can be spread apart by the hands and slipped on the drill stem 1, the ends coming together forming a broken seam 23, with bolt fastenings l9, having embedded in the mold nuts 2|], to build up a non-expanding outer rim on the protector and in order to hold the expansion caused by the inflation of the inner tube l5 and the expansion chamber "SE, a metallic bead 22 is shown its ends being looped around the bolts IS, the bead being placed in the mold. A cavity [53 or N3 is molded to accommodate either air or liquid and with or without an inner tube.-

This expansion can be accomplished by any suitable device capable of building up liquid or air pressure (my invention but not shown). To insure the perfect safety lock there is a male and female fitting I1 and the splice. The female fitting comprises an enlarged opening into which the male fitting which enters expands when the 'air is applied through the valve l8 expanding the whole apparatus and the inner wall l6 .being of more flexible material and thinner in cons-trucplace of the inner wall and compress directly against the drill stem, or the protector can be equipped with this inner tube originally if desired.

In operation, it is necessary first to mount the protector on the 'drill stem, if the complete circle protector is to be used it is slid over the end of the drill stem with the hands and placed in the position desired, then the air or liquid pressure is applied to the intake valve l8 from the source of supply (not shown), the pressure entering the inner or compression chamber IBB or inner tube I5, inflating same forcing the inner wall I8 against the drill stem l, making it fast. The return circulating fluid which is pumped down the hollow drill stem meets more or less obstruction by the use of the solid casing protectors now in general use. This new improved protector has spaced openings formed sp rally around its outer surface and when set in motion by the rotation of the drill stem these are brought into play on the returning circulating fluid and become impellers I4 boosting the circulating fluid on its way upwardly, not allowing the cutt ngs to settle. In mounting our split type protector, take two hands and spreadthe ends apart and let clamp over and around the drill stem, apply the nuts 20, molded in to accommodate the bolts I9 and making a permanent fastening and emergency locked splice 23. The air is then applied to valve 18 and the process as above stated takes place and also compresses the air lock IT at the same time the inner wall "5 is compressed against the drill stem making it fast. To remove the protectors open the valve and-deflate the inner chamber and slip the protector off the end of the stem or of the split type spread same with hands and remove. The same method of inflating and deflating inner tube Type 15A Fig. 9, is used as above stated. This type of separate inner tube is first sprung over the tool joint which is of larger diameter than the drill stem, and put in the desired place on the drill stem, then the protector ring Type tion takes most of the expansion moment and I fixes itself solidly against and around the drill stem, making the protector fast and secure against any obstacle it comes in contact with during the rotary acton of the drill stem while in the well. Numeral #25 indicates a. flexible lip to aid in gripping and making a seal around the drill stem. The surface of the inner wall which comes in contact with the drill stem is of a pitted nature or ridged to increase its adhesive action. As time goes on and the inner wall shows signs of wear, the inner tube I5 may be inserted, being of substantial material. This tube may take the 24A which has a large enough bore to easily slide over the tool joint, and over the deflated inner tube, where it is placed in the proper position for inflating, with air or liqu d through valve I8A, which is embedded in the end for protection against the formation in the hole while in operation.

To remove the casing protector from the drill stem, open valve I8A and allow the pressure to escape and open also valve I8 F gs. 9 and 12, to allow the complete deflation, then slide off the outer casing 24A then the deflated inner tubing I5A, clean and store away for future use. This type allows the outer casing which undergoes the severest use and wear out much quicker than the inner casing, to be replaced with a new one, with some saving.

Inner tube HA is also made in a split type, in place of slipping over the end of the drill stem it can be wrapped around the drill stem. This principle of inflation, owing to its adaptability n slowing releasing and taking ahold lightly while taking the strain is practicable and appl'cable for clutch or mobile operations and constructions.

While several forms of this invention have been herein shown and described, it will be under-stool that various modifications and changes may be resorted to without departing from the spirit oi the invention or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, a mounting, a body encirclng said mounting and comprising an inner wall normally engaged with said mounting, said body having a chamber formed therein, and an inflatable container disposed in said chamber to urge said inner wall into engagement with said mounting.

2. A drill pipe and stem protector as described, comprising a tubular body adapted to be mounted on a drill pipe, an inflatable chamber in said body adapted when inflated to expand the outer wall portion thereof, said outer wall portionhaving a plurality of spiral grooves whereby to create a fluid pressure adjacent said body when said body is rotated.

3. A drill pipe and stem protector as described, comprising a tubular body of substantially resilient material adapted to be detachably secured to a drill pipe, an inflatable chamber in said body, said body having a reinforcing and expansion retarding element therein externally of said inflatable chamber.

4. A drill pipe or stem protector as described comprising a body having a cylndrical bore and means adapted to expand the inner wall of said body to frictionally engage said drill pipe or stem, thereby retarding any rotary or longitudinal slip of said protector on the drill stem when in rotating action.

5. A drill pipe or stem protector as described comprising a body having a cylindrical bore and pneumatic means adapted to expand the knurled inner wall of said body to frictionally'engage said drill pipe or stem, said inner walls surface being knurled to aid in retarding slip of said protector on drill pipe while rotating.

6. A drill pipe and casing protector as described, comprising a body having a cylindrical bore and means adapted to expand the inner wall of said body to frictionally engage said drill pipe or stem, therebyretarding any rotary or longitudinal slip of said protector on drill stem when stem is rotated.

'7. A drill pipe or casing protector comprising a body of flexible material, a cavity within said body, and outwardly disposed intake and outlet valve, a passageway, said valved passageway connecting the inflation chamber with thesource of supply allowing entrance of air under pressure into said cavity, causing it to inflate the inner wall and expand inwardly around the drill pipe making fast thereto, thus being substantially mounted on said drill pipe, the said outlet valve, adapted to release the pressurein said cavity and allowin the protecto to deflate for removing from the drill stein. i

8. A casing protector consisting of a body; a bore extending through said body; said bore adapted so as to allow the passage of a drill stem therethrough and the detachable mounting of said protector, thereon, an inner inflatable chamber, a passageway connecting said inner chamber to an outwardly disposed valve; said body adapted to be inflated, causing the walls of said inner chamber to expand inwardly against the drill stem making fast to said drill stem.

' HARVEY D. SANDSTONE. 

